I have a bunch of Curtis Controllers I got from old Forklifts. I needed a quick way to bench test them before I tried them in a cart.

The best way to check every function was to build a switch and pot box for al the possible inputs and add a bunch of leds for the different outputs and indicators. While I was at it I added an RS232 interface.

Rather than use a resistive load I just paralleled a bunch of Auto Backup light bulbs

This worked out pretty good and let me do a coarse setup on the parameters before they got installed. So far I’ve got three of then in use and no problems yet. I did make one little miscalculation with the load compensation while Nick was sitting in the Go Cart and the cart decided to jump up on its rear wheels the second Nick hit the throttle. Luckily I was there to push him back over. That’s why the full roll cage was mandatory on that cart.

The EZGO Gold Cart retrofit was a little more mild on the programming. I use that for bringing cut up trees to the front on my property. I also have a trailer hitch on it for moving my trailer or tow dolly around.It worked really well towing a Hyundai down my driveway when the car died.

I once brought home an engine and trans from a 71 Nova on my trailer and instead of trying to back the trailer into the garage with the car I swapped the trailer to the golf cart and ran it around the yard a few times for fun then backed it into the garage with ease.

So far these things have performed very well. I have a couple of 1236 controllers but cant really find a reasonably priced motor to go with them so for now it DC power only

I picked up this Fiero pretty cheap but it needed a windsheild and plenty of bodywork. The A pillars were damaged from the tree that broke the windsheild. After a couple of weeks and some fiberglass and Bondo I had it smooth but it needed some paint.

After a weekend and some International Harvester Red Tractor Paint and a quart of Gloss Black it came out great.

Not bad for $30 worth of Tractor Paint. This summer I want to redo my Mustang and Eileen’s Corsica. I did this with a $20 paint gun I got from Harbor Freight. I’ve been reading a lot about roller painting a car and the results are really astounding but for my cars I don’t need the extra smooth finish. My cars are all drivers no trailer queens here…..

I cant wait till the weather gets a little warmer. I want to convert my S10 from its old Quadrajet to fuel injection. I picked up this 84 Corvette manifold from a guy going to a Holley carb on his Vette. I got the computer, wiring harness, all the sensors and plumbing. The hardest part will be putting the EFI pump back in the fuel tank. The factory 2.8L one had to be removed when the 350 V8 went in. I picked up a nice one from Jegs. Now I just need time.

This is the Midi Sniffer. It’s a little bigger than an old fashioned pager

It has a Midi In, Power and Clear switch. Really didn’t need anything else.

Power up notice

Data from moving a CC Slider

Hitting the Play button

Pretty Cheap and simple with just over a dozen parts.

16X2 LCD Display

Pic 16F73

4mhz Crystal

2 – 22pf Capacitors

220 ohm resisitor

3 – 1K resistors

5K Trimmer

OPTO Coupler

DIN Jack

Power Jack

Clear Switch

Pactec Case

I didn’t bother to make a PCB for this since its a one off project for a specific need I had at that time. Ill draw up a schematic and I already posted the Source and Hex files on my main site. I ended up removing the LCD routines and reused the code for the Midi Controller. That one will get a real PCB since I have plenty of uses for it.

In case you looked at that P&T Surplus link and think thats all there is, well, no.

They have everything from key chains to a Jet Engine. They have a great robotic Arm Labeled “Igor”. I really want it but it must weigh about 2500 pounds. They had a nice servo motor driven XY table and even some Dragon Sculptures.

I mentioned using the PWM output to control a LARGE load with a Triac and someone asked what other parts you need so here is the circuit needed.

I have an electrical box with 3 of these circuits inside. That way I can keep it separated from the low voltage PIC. With proper heat-sinking and part selection 1200W Halogen lights are not a problem. It is optically isolated from the PIC but remember if your using PWM you may generate a lot of noise with a long cable run to the control head.

I got a nice heat sink electrical box combo from P&T Surplus for $10. If you’re ever in Kingston NY its a must see shop. Old dead PC power supply cases also make nice enclosures and can usually be had for free from your neighborhood trash bins or techie.

This year was a little different for TCF. The last couple of years I spoke about the EV project at school. Since that project has been mostly about getting a motor mount created and not really computer related I decided to still speak this year but this time share the different uses for PIC micro-controllers I came up with over the last few decades….

I had so many topics I really had to cut it down to a few. I had some people really interested in using these things and I hope to hear from them. I have some videos from the actual talk and a couple of things I didn’t get to show.

I really wanted to do some Android apps but I didn’t have a chance. I did get to show 3 Iphone / Ipad apps. I have some stuff made with Titanium Developer but I was about to give up on Apple because of the store policies.

A new project idea was hatched at work last week that will make me revisit Apple again but I’m not as enthusiastic about them now that I have an Android tablet.